Federal Disaster Declaration Secured for Virginia Farmers

The USDA issued a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 43 primary Virginia counties and 61 contiguous counties following devastating late-spring frost and freeze damage to agriculture in March and April, making farmers eligible for emergency loans and federal assistance to recover from crop losses.

The declaration covers one of the most widespread frost events in the Commonwealth’s recent agricultural history, with some growers estimating losses at 100% of their crop. Affected commodities include fruit trees, vineyards, and other specialty crops particularly vulnerable to late freezes.

Farmers in eligible counties can apply through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency for Emergency Loans, which provide low-interest financing to help producers recover costs not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

Hundreds Honor 9-Year-Old Richmond Boy Who Drowned at Swim Camp

Hundreds gathered in Richmond to celebrate the life of 9-year-old King Overton, who accidentally drowned at SwimRVA North on June 15 while attending a summer swim camp, at a service that drew community members from across the city.

Attendees described King as joyful and full of personality, and speakers called on SwimRVA and aquatic programs statewide to examine their safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies. Hundreds of vehicles rode through Richmond earlier last week in his honor.

Virginia lawmakers noted the drowning came as the state works to implement new water safety legislation: a lawmaker said 97 children have drowned in Virginia since 2021, and a new law signed this year is designed to modernize and strengthen aquatic safety standards.

The family plans to pursue accountability from those responsible.

Tall Ship Providence Closes, Eyes Future  

The Tall Ship Providence, a replica of the first ship commanded by John Paul Jones during the Revolutionary War, has sailed for the last time for now, after the Tall Ship Providence Foundation announced it’s shutting down operations at its homeport at Waterfront Park in Alexandria.

The foundation, which has operated the ship for tours and a floating classroom, cited the closure as it explores a possible merger with a proposed U.S. Maritime Museum currently in development. Marion Smith, president of the U.S. Maritime Foundation, said the country lacks a national maritime museum despite being a major maritime power, and that plans for the institution have been in the works for about a year.

The museum is expected to open within three to five years. For longtime visitors like Calvin Gates, who has spent much of his life aboard the Providence, the closure is bittersweet. He hopes the new museum will give the ship and the history it represents a permanent home where future generations can learn from it.

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➤ Henrico: A man in a motorized wheelchair was killed in a hit-and-run early Sunday on Nine Mile Road near the Richmond-Henrico line; police are asking for the public’s help identifying an early-2000s Chrysler PT Cruiser with a missing headlight. (More)

➤ Gretna: A vehicle crashed into a home on Saturday, and first responders found two people inside dead from gunshot wounds; the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. (More)

➤ Southwest Virginia: Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are launching new clinical trials for radiopharmaceutical cancer therapies targeting brain and urologic cancers, positioning Roanoke as a destination for theranostics research and treatment. (More)

➤ Central Virginia: Virginia health officials expanded a growing measles outbreak to include Cumberland County, citing evidence of community transmission; the Piedmont Health District has reported 106 outbreak-associated cases, with 129 confirmed statewide, a historically high count not seen since the 1980s. (More)

➤ Also in Central Virginia: A Virginia State Police trooper charged with leaving threatening notes on an Albemarle County woman’s apartment door took a no-contest plea deal Friday; if he completes four months of good behavior, 60 hours of community service, and an apology letter, the felony charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor. (More)

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➤ The Washington Capitals made three selections on Day 2 of the NHL Draft, including center Tyus Sparks, for whom they traded up to draft. (More)

➤ Three-star receiver Markus Lee has become the fourth receiver to announce his commitment to UVA this recruiting cycle, boosting the Cavaliers’ recruiting class to No. 62 in the nation. (More)

➤ The Washington Nationals blew their MLB-leading 24th save of the season on Saturday night against the Baltimore Orioles, but managed to come back to win 4-3 in extra innings after a go-ahead single from outfielder Daylen Lile. (Watch Video)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf | NASCAR | F1

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➤ Virginia Beach’s Cavalier Resort sold to Connecticut-based Wheelock Street Capital in what a broker called the largest hotel transaction in Virginia history; HEI Hotels & Resorts will manage the three oceanfront properties. (More)

➤ Amthor International, the nation’s largest tanker truck manufacturer, opened a second facility in Gretna, adding up to 75 jobs and bringing its total workforce to more than 200. (More)

➤ Westhampton Pastry Shop, a Richmond institution open since 1952, reopened last week in a new location at 8903 Three Chopt Road after developers purchased its original Patterson Avenue home. (More)

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➤ Virginia Beach native Derrick Borte released his seventh feature film, The Get Out, a neo-noir crime comedy starring Russell Crowe as an aging Los Angeles club owner, the second collaboration between the Cox High and Old Dominion grad and the Gladiator actor, now streaming on major platforms. (More)

➤ Virginia crowned its 2026 Miss Virginia and Miss Virginia Teen at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, with Maddie Marchant of Lynchburg taking the Miss Virginia title and Caedyn Riddle winning Miss Virginia Teen, both advancing to national competition in September. (More)

➤ Two 72-year-old Virginia Tech roommates from the class of 1972, Michael Spriegel and Hal Downing, completed the Virginia Triple Crown this week, hiking McAfee Knob, Dragon’s Tooth, and Tinker Cliffs together more than 50 years after they first met on campus. (More)

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➤ Viral “Eye Detox” Ritual Clears Vision 5X Faster Than Drops. A 12-second bedtime ritual discovered by a retired Air Force vision specialist is helping people ditch drops and glasses. It targets blur and floaters fast, so you can wake up seeing clearer. Simple “Eye Detox” Ritual Clears Vision 5X Faster.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Student behavior is getting worse, and teachers are pointing the finger at parents, a new survey says. (Hear Details)

➤ Cuba’s power grid collapsed for the third time this month, leaving millions in the dark again. (Hear Episode)

➤  Gen Z is ditching the bar for the gym, and the numbers are striking. (Listen Now)

Have you visited Patrick Henry’s Red Hill home in Brookneal, Virginia?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not yet

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you been to the National Archives Museum to see the U.S. Constitution?

1. No: 44%
2. Yes: 41%
3. Not sure: 15%

What was Patrick Henry’s response to accusations of treason?

Show me the answer